William Cameron Menzies
| William Cameron Menzies | |
|---|---|
| Born |
July 29, 1896 New Haven, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Died | March 5, 1957 (aged 60) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Education | Yale University, University of Edinburgh |
| Occupation | Production designer |
| Years active | 1924–1956 |
| Awards |
Best Art Direction 1928 The Dove ; Tempest Academy Honorary Award 1939 Gone with the Wind |
William Cameron Menzies (July 29, 1896 – March 5, 1957) was an American film production designer (a job title he invented) and art director who also worked as a director, producer, and screenwriter during a career spanning five decades. He earned acclaim for his work in silent film, and later pioneered the use of color in film for dramatic effect.
Menzies was born in New Haven, Connecticut to Scots immigrant parents, Charles A. and Helen originally from Aberfeldy, Scotland. He studied at Yale and the University of Edinburgh, and after serving in the United States Army during World War I he attended the Art Students League of New York.
Menzies joined Famous Players-Lasky, later to evolve into Paramount Pictures, working in special effects and design. He quickly established himself in Hollywood with his elaborate settings for The Thief of Bagdad (1924), The Bat (1926), The Dove (1927), Sadie Thompson (1928), and Tempest (1928). In 1929, Menzies formed a partnership with producer Joseph M. Schenck to create a series of early sound short films visualizing great works of music, including a 10-minute version of Dukas's The Sorcerer's Apprentice, and created the production design and special effects for Schenck's feature film The Lottery Bride (1930).
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